Muhuri Project

The Muhuri Irrigation Project (Bengali: মুহুরী সেচ প্রকল্প), commonly referred to as the Muhuri Project, is Bangladesh's second-largest irrigation project. It comprises a closure dam and water control structure, positioned at the confluence of the Feni, Muhuri, and Kalidas-Pahaliya rivers. This project plays a pivotal role in facilitating irrigation and managing floods across areas in Feni and Chittagong districts.

The project was completed during the fiscal year 1985–86. The surrounding area, featuring artificial water bodies, forestry, bird watching hotspots, and fish farms, has become a notable tourist destination, drawing visitors from across the country. The project area also includes the country's first wind power plant and the largest fisheries zone in Bangladesh.

Geographical location

Irrigation project

The irrigation project influences an area between coordinates 22.45°N 91.21°E / 22.45; 91.21 and 23.09°N 91.35°E / 23.09; 91.35, encompassing the upazilas of Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, Parshuram, Fulgazi, and Sonagazi of Feni District as well as parts of Mirsarai Upazila of Chittagong District in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh, adjacent to the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Dam

The Muhuri Dam, officially called Feni River Closure Dam, is located at Sonagazi Upazila within Feni District, approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Feni town. It sits at the border of Mirsarai Upazila in the Chittagong Division and seasonally holds the river water for irrigation purposes. During early winter, the dam is closed, forming a substantial lake. As the monsoon approaches, the sluice gate is opened to release water.

Background

In the southeastern region of Bangladesh, the Feni River, the Muhuri River, and the Kalidas-Pahaliya River converge and flow into the Bay of Bengal. The area faced challenges such as saline intrusion, flooding during the wet season, and freshwater loss in the dry season. This project aimed to develop agricultural land covering approximately 27,000 hectares (270 km²) in the tidal zone of the Feni (then part of Noakhali) and Chittagong districts.

Work on the Muhuri Irrigation Project commenced in the fiscal year 1977–78 and concluded in the 1985–86 fiscal year, marking it as the second-largest irrigation initiative in Bangladesh. Its purpose was to mitigate flood risks during the monsoon season and enhance irrigation resources for the aman crop across several upazilas in Feni and Chittagong districts. The key solution to address the aforementioned challenges was the construction of the Feni River Closure Dam, which enabled the storage of freshwater and prevented flooding and saline intrusion. Haskoning, a Royal Dutch Consulting Engineers firm, was tasked with designing and supervising the construction of the dam in January 1983, erecting a significant water control structure comprising 40 gates across the downstream confluence of the Feni River, Muhuri River, and Kalidas-Pahaliya River. Funding from CIDA, EEC, and the World Bank, along with support from the Japanese company Simujhu, facilitated the construction at a cost of ৳168 crore (US$16 million). Consequently, irrigation facilities were extended to 20,194 hectares (201.94 km²) of land, with an additional 27,125 hectares (271.25 km²) receiving supplementary irrigation provisions.

Developments

Expansions

In 1996, plans for expanding the Muhuri Project were initiated, resulting in the development of the Muhuri-Kahua Irrigation Project. This new initiative partially overlaps with the existing Muhuri Irrigation Project.

In 2021, the government signed loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank for the Irrigation Management Improvement Project, aimed at enhancing and modernising the country's irrigation system. The project, costing US$46 million with an additional US$13.5 million, targets the repair of 17 kilometres (11 mi) of coastal embankments and the re-excavation of over 400 kilometres (250 mi) of canal drains by 2024. This effort aims to expand the dry-season irrigation area of the Muhuri irrigation system by 60 percent to 18,000 hectares (180 km²). Following project implementation, it is anticipated that the average yield of irrigated boro paddy will increase to four tons per hectare of land, up from three tons in 2013. Furthermore, the project aims to ensure that at least 2 percent of pump operators, 5 percent of mobile water unit vendors, and 5 percent of project construction workers are women.

Wind power plant

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) established the country's first wind power unit during the fiscal year 2004–05. This unit comprised four 225-kilowatt turbines with a total capacity of 900 kilowatts, at an estimated cost of ৳7.5 crore (US$700,000). Lamchi village in Sonagazi Union, within the Muhuri Project area, was chosen as the project site. The turbines, standing at a height of 50 meters, along with associated components, were procured from India and installed by India's Nebula Techno Solutions Company Limited. Experimental electricity generation commenced in 2006, but the power plant was subsequently shut down after a few months. Although power generation resumed for about six years, as of 2022, the facility remains non-operational due to factors such as inadequate wind speeds, as reported by officials.

Industries

Fish farming

The Muhuri Project area stands out as the largest fisheries zone in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the country's economy through substantial annual revenue. Local residents have pioneered freshwater fish farming by constructing enclosures along the embankments within the area. This initiative has transformed the lives of many unemployed youths, offering them newfound opportunities in fish farming. Numerous fishing villages have emerged in the region, supporting thousands of livelihoods through fish harvesting. Furthermore, numerous reputable institutions have established commercial fish projects on 7,000 acres of land, encompassing approximately 500 fisheries. These projects cultivate various fish species such as pangas, tilapia (including monosex tilapia), carp, pabda, gulsha, koi, shinghi, magur, and tengra. The fish produced in these projects not only cater to domestic demand but also find markets in different districts of Bangladesh and abroad through exports.

Tourism

Over the decades, the Muhuri project dam has evolved into a popular recreational and picnic destination. During the winter months, numerous travel enthusiasts and tourists flock from various regions across the country to explore its attractions. Encircled by an embankment, the artificial water body surrounding the dam offers a picturesque setting adorned with water hyacinths. Nearby afforestation by the Forest Department hosts deer and monkeys, among other species. Visitors also enjoy the sight of the vast fish sanctuaries and the melodious chirping of birds. The lower slopes of the embankment are adorned with stone lining, while the upper portions feature a carpet of grass. Boating on the Muhuri water body provides visitors with an opportunity to observe diverse species of ducks and approximately a hundred different bird species up close, enhancing the overall experience of nature enthusiasts.